Karen State armed group denies role in cyber scams
The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) dismissed allegations of human trafficking into cyber scam operations in Payathonzu town, also known as Three Pagodas Pass, in Kyain Seikgyi Township of Karen State on Monday. Payathonzu is located 143 miles (230 km) south of the state capital Hpa-An and next to Nong Lu in Kanchanaburi Province of Thailand.
The DKBA issued a notice on Sunday instructing Chinese nationals in Burma, who are illegally residing and working in its territory, to leave by Feb. 28. “I have not seen any Kokang Chinese nationals involved in scam activities in Payathonzu. Some arrived after the battles in Laukkai and Lashio. These people are known for their involvement in gambling activities,” Saw Ae Wang, a DKBA tactical commander, told DVB.
An anti-human trafficking activist working on the Burma-Thai border accused the regime in Naypyidaw, the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), the Karen National Union (KNU), and the DKBA of “turning a blind eye” to cyber scams. Bangkok cut power to Payathonzu and Shwe Kokko in Myawaddy Township, as well as Tachilek Township in Shan State, to crackdown on cyber scams last Wednesday.
Arrest warrant request for Karen Border Guard Force leaders
Prosecutors at Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Human Trafficking Crime Bureau are discussing potential arrest warrants for three Karen BGF leaders, including Saw Chit Thu, on allegations of operating cyber scam centers along the Burma-Thai border in Myawaddy across from Mae Sot, Tak Province.
“The problem will not end unless its root cause is tackled,” said Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former prime minister and the de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party led by his daughter Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. “If the scammers are booted out of the country, we will resume the supply of electricity and internet signals,” he added.
The DSI reportedly received evidence from an Indian national who was rescued after being trafficked and forced to work at a cyber scam center in Myawaddy. DSI is also pursuing arrest warrants for BGF leaders Saw Mote Thone and Saw Tin Win. Thaksin met with Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss Burma on Feb. 2. Read more.
Military accused of using human shields in Tanintharyi Region
A People’s Defence Force (PDF) leader in Tanintharyi Region accused the military of using civilians as human shields in its offensives against resistance forces, carrying out airstrikes, and of setting fire to six houses in Htonekhar village, located along the Tanintharyi-Mawtaung road, since Dec. 17.
“When moving between locations, they use villagers as cover and take them along,” said Ko Star, a PDF leader in Burma’s southeastern region. He added that airstrikes were carried out by the Burma Air Force along the Tanintharyi–Mawtaung road on Feb. 3. The road spans 69 miles (111 km) and connects Tanintharyi town to Mawtaung town on the Thai border.
Over 1,800 residents from Htonekhar, Thephyu, Theinkhun and Chaung Nhit Pauk villages, which are located along the road, have fled their homes and taken refuge in nearby forests. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are in need of humanitarian aid. A member of the Nway Oo Metta humanitarian aid group told DVB that IDPs suffer from respiratory infections and body aches due to the cold weather.
News by Region
NAYPYIDAW—Regime leader Min Aung Hlaing met with Indian spiritual leader and peace ambassador Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Naypyidaw on Sunday, regime media reported. He also met with Yar Pyae, the chairperson of the regime National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee.
“The purpose of his visit to Myanmar is to offer support in any possible way for the country’s peace and prosperity,” regime media added. Shankar wants to assist the regime with its elections tentatively scheduled for November. The Indian Embassy in Yangon acknowledged Shankar’s visit, stating that it was “a part of his peace efforts.”
SAGAING—Kani Township residents told DVB that two civilians were killed by a paramotor strike carried out by the military on Natlapo Myauk village on Tuesday. The village is located five miles (8 km) north of the Northwestern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters in Monywa Township.
“Two bombs were dropped, one hit a house directly,” a resident told DVB. He added that one person was killed instantly, while the other succumbed to injuries while being transported to the hospital. This is the second military paramotor strike in Kani this month. The first killed a resident of Sulegon village on Friday.
TANINTHARYI—Bokepyin Township residents told DVB that three men were killed and 102 were arrested, including women and children, by the military as they were preparing to depart Burma for Thailand on Feb. 5. Bokepyin is located 282 miles (453 km) north of the regional capital Dawei.
“The [three] victims died at the hospital from gunshot wounds,” a Bokepyin resident told DVB. The 105 Burma nationals had traveled to Bokepyin and awaited transportations into Thailand. Residents claimed that there have been many people fleeing into Thailand illegally due to the conscription law, and being arrested along the Burma-Thai border. | N
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